YSU faculty member plays key role in solar energy research published in leading journal

Vamsi Borra, program coordinator and assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Youngstown State University, played a major role in research recently published in Advanced Functional Materials, one of the world's leading journals in materials science and engineering.

The study, completed in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Toledo, explores ways to improve the performance of next-generation solar cell materials that are more environmentally friendly and made from more readily available earth-abundant resources.

"One of the biggest goals is finding materials that are less toxic, affordable and widely available while still performing well," Borra said. "If we can improve the efficiency of these materials, they become much more practical for real-world use."

The research was the result of a longstanding collaboration between Borra and colleagues at the University of Toledo, where he completed his doctoral studies. Key collaborators included Vijay Karade, postdoctoral researcher, and Zhaoning Song, assistant professor, with the project supervised by Randy Ellingson, professor of physics.

Borra’s role in the project mainly consisted of performing specialized materials characterization to determine the chemical composition and electronic properties of solar cell materials. This helped reveal how changes at the material's surface contributed to improved solar cell efficiency. While much of that work took place behind the scenes, it provided critical insights that helped validate the team's findings.

For Borra, publication in Advanced Functional Materials represents the culmination of nearly two years of work. The journal is known for its rigorous review process and high standards for scientific quality and reproducibility.

"Publishing in a journal like this shows that the work is meaningful and meets a very high standard," he said. "It takes a great deal of effort, but it is rewarding to see the research recognized."

The publication also highlights the growing research opportunities available at YSU. Borra said the experience reinforces that faculty and students can conduct impactful research at YSU while collaborating with leading institutions and industry partners.

"YSU may be smaller than some research universities, but we have the resources, expertise and talented students needed to contribute to high-level research," Borra said. "This publication gives us confidence that we can continue producing work that gains national and international recognition."

That momentum is already continuing. Borra and collaborators are currently working on additional renewable energy research projects, including studies involving YSU graduate students.

For students interested in becoming involved in research, Borra emphasized that curiosity, consistency and a willingness to learn are often more important than arriving with extensive experience.

"We can teach students the technical skills they need," he said. "The biggest thing is showing up, doing the work and being consistent. Students who are committed and willing to learn can make meaningful contributions to research."

As YSU continues expanding research opportunities across STEM disciplines, Borra hopes projects like this one will encourage more students to explore undergraduate and graduate research experiences and see themselves as part of the next generation of innovators.